About Us

ABOUT

Adult Basic Education (ABE) is a program of the Saint Paul Public Schools' Community Education Department. Educational services are available to adults who want to improve their basic skills, earn a GED, prepare for employment or post-secondary education, or learn English.

MissionThe mission of Saint Paul Public Schools Adult Basic Education is to provide adults with educational opportunities to acquire and improve their literacy skills necessary to be self-sufficient and to participate effectively as productive workers, family members, and citizens.

HistoryThe Ronald M. Hubbs Center for Lifelong Learning opened in the fall of 1994, combining two major literacy centers in Saint Paul: the Adult Community Education Center and the Technology for Literacy Center. The Hubbs Center is a dynamic adult education facility located in the heart of Saint Paul's Frogtown-Midway communities. In addition to quality classroom instruction, exciting events provide an opportunity for the learners to be encouraged in the pursuit of their own academic and workforce goals.

In 2014, we began offering services at the East Side Learning Hub @ Harding on the east side of St. Paul. These centers bring quality services close to the community and offers new technologies to meet diverse lifestyles.

1965: The Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) began providing adult basic education services through its Adult Community Education Center, operating at various sites throughout the city over the years.

1985: The Technology for Literacy Center (TLC) opened and operated as a special project of Saint Paul Schools and the Saint Paul Foundation, under the governance of a Donor Review Board. Contracts were signed between Saint Paul Public Schools, five separate foundations, and one business, resulting in the Technology for Literacy Project.

1987: A summative evaluation (including cost-effectiveness and formative evaluations) was completed on the Technology for Literacy Project after its second year of operation. Evaluation findings were used for literacy development and next steps by the Saint Paul Foundation and Saint Paul Public Schools.

1988: An advisory committee was formed to review the findings of TLC's evaluations and make recommendations for future needs in adult literacy for St. Paul. Subsequently, "A Comprehensive Five Year Plan for Literacy in St. Paul" was commissioned by the F.R. Bigelow Foundation in conjunction with the Saint Paul Foundation, and was accepted by the SPPS Board of Education, with the understanding the SPPS would assume the leadership role in this venture.

1989: The "Five Year Plan" was presented to the public at Literacy Action Day, a public event held in March 1989. Attended by over sixty people, the purpose of the day was to create awareness and generate a commitment for action as part of a community approach. The timeline and steps identified in the "Five Year Plan" were begun, including creation of a new literacy position within SPPS. The duties of this position included: addressing literacy issues in a comprehensive manner and implementation of the "Five Year Plan."

1990: On October 1, 1990, an 18-month period of project planning began in order to achieve the goals and objectives of the "Five Year Plan." A significant portion of the planning process involved coordinating several committees of about 80 people: Steering, Site Selection, Human Services, and Program committees.

1991: A major legislative initiative began to secure permission for SPPS to acquire a building and site for the Lifelong Literacy Center, including securing an architectural firm to do a preliminary design study.

1992: On March 4, 1992, a meeting was held to review the planning process and incorporate a broader vision of decision-making and the needs of the community, including community-based organizations and communities of color as a major resource and as equal partners. In April of 1992, the legislative portion of the planning process was successfully completed.

1993: Construction of the Hubbs Center began on June 14, 1993.

1994: Center staff began to occupy the building on July 11, 1994. The Center opened for learners in September of 1994 and the Center celebrated its grand opening with a series of events from November 14-16, 1994.